Sorry i hope im not hijacking the thread, i just found your story so compelling Claire and that is just awesome you went on to have a home birth. Its funny cause when i was researching i could not find anyone with first hand experience and of course there are lots of women who have torn and lots of studies on women who have torn, but none relating to short perineums, so i wasnt sure it was a viable excuse. I have to say though even with all my history, the ob was very happy for me to have a VB, until she examined me, which gave me a little more faith. Unfortuantely my final decision was based on family history, my mum and nana both suffer fecal incontinece which has been put down to the way in which they gave birth, and it is such a debilitating thing.
Your story is definatley one of hope though and i really appreciate you sharing that info with me. Thanks!